‘No way’… Dana White makes U-turn on Alex Pereira vs Jon Jones super-fight after watching ‘Bones’ dominate at UFC 309

He came, he saw, he conquered: Jon “Bones” Jones retains his heavyweight title with a dominant third-round knockout in the main event of UFC 309 last night at Madison Square Garden.

The sensational performance, capped by a spinning back kick to the body KO, was so good that Dana White even pulled off a surprise U-turn in the potential superfight between 'Bones' and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Dana White says 'there's no way' he would make Pereira vs. Jones after UFC 309

Ahead of UFC 309, Dana White claimed he would be willing to entertain the thought of a superfight between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones, only if the current heavyweight king first defeats interim champion Tom Aspinall.

However, after seeing 'Bones' dominate Stipe Miocic in both the striking and wrestling departments, White stated at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference that there is “no way” Poatan would (or should) take that fight to get.

“No, you know what I was told tonight. That there's no way I was going to make it [Jon Jones] vs. Alex Pereira fight… Jon is too big, a great wrestler. Did you see how he beat Stipe in that first round?

“I like Alex Pereira, I like him personally, but there's just no point in taking that fight. If they want it bad enough and they're both chasing me or something, then maybe I'd do it.

White claimed that Alex Pereira's crazy light-heavyweight title shot, and the fact that the Brazilian is already at the top at the age of 37, means there is no point in moving up to heavyweight at this stage of his career.

“It's just Alex Pereira killing him [at 205lbs]look at his age and what he is doing now, what is the reason for moving up [in weight] and fight a man so much bigger than you and such a good wrestler.

“Money? Well, that's certainly a reason, but to be clear, I don't want to make that kind of money… I want Pereira to stay where he is and do what he does: run into the streets.”

Jon Jones says he could retire if he doesn't sign Alex Pereira next

While Dana White was adamant that he would rather move away from the idea of ​​such a superfight, Jon Jones himself would say a few minutes later that it's Poatan or bust.

“I'm not really worried about the Tom fight, but I'm really worried about the Pereira fight – that's what I want to do… That's what I want to do and if the UFC wants me back then I think that that's the battle they're going to fight.

“I've been very clear about my intentions, that's what I want, and I mean I feel like everyone would understand that at this point… I will retire the heavyweight belt if I have to, give the man [Aspinall] what he wants.”

Given both his stellar legacy in the sport and the influence he is likely to have on the promotion, Jones believes he is well within his rights to ask for Pereira over Aspinall.

“I just feel like I'm in a place now where I want to do super fights. I don't want to fight dangerous newcomers anymore, I want to fight dangerous and established champions. ”

Tom Aspinall claimed the interim title a year ago and previously defended the title against Curtis Blaydes in 2024.

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